People and Politics - discussion forum

We’re in the lead up to a Federal election, to be held sometime in May.  There are so many issues that affect us all – some are global, like climate change.  Some are more Australia-specific, like the way that we choose to live with and learn from the Indigenous peoples of this country.  And some are very individual – like the mental health and wellbeing of young people in our families and our communities.  The responses to these issues from whichever political position get played out within our democracy, but even that might not be as healthy as we think.  Australia ranks twelfth out of 24 functional democracies left in the world today.  Is that where we want to be?  How can we support young people to maintain and improve their mental health and wellbeing?  How do we work with and learn from Indigenous peoples to protect and promote the longest surviving culture on the planet?  How do we do all of these things in a hotter world with natural disasters affecting more of us every day?

The People and Politics Forum will provide an opportunity to speak with experts in democracy, Indigenous matters, climate change and youth mental health.  It’s a chance to raise your voice, to be heard and to contribute to the national discourse as we work up to choosing who will represent us in the leadership of our country.

Hosted by Paul Bongiorno and with experts Professor Mark Evans, Professor Stan Grant and Dr Monica Short, the event will be followed by drinks, nibbles and ongoing conversation.